Engine



R. WINDELL July 26,1927.

ENG INE Filed Sent. 16. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 dlgvzentor fin Win a Attorney R. WINDELL July 26, 1927.

ENGINE Filed Sent. 15. 1926 2 sheets-Sheet, 2

Inventor fimcllllllllli m Irma/ 624 Patented July 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE.

ROY WINDELL, OF WILMINGTON, CALIFORNIA.

ENGINE.

Application filed September 16, 1926. Serial No. 135,873.

This invention relates to an improved engine construction, and it has particular ref erence to one which is regarded as being well adapted for aeroplane use, although it is equally well adapted for use in automobiles and similar conveyances.

Briefly, the invention has reference to a structure of this kind which includes, among other parts, a crank case, a cylinder block including three cylinders, pistons reciprocable in the cylinders, a crank rotatable in said case, and having operative connection with the piston, and a novel head construction for the cylinders which serves to introduce steam under pressure at properly timed intervals for operating the pistons. p

The particular point of novelty, is in the construction of the head which is considerably larger than the average head and which is of hollow construction to accommodate a plurality of fluid circulating coils disposed horizontally for preheating the charge, together with vertical steam generating coils disposed about each cylinder and connected therewith for operating the respective piston, burners being carried by this head for generating the steam.

Other features of construction will become apparent from the following description and drawin gs In the drawings Y Figure 1 is a side view with portions broken away and shown in section to disclose the internal details more plainly.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan.

Fig. 4 is detail view in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the

reference character 1 designates the crank case in which the crank shaft 2 is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner. The throws of the crank are disposed at 120 angles with respect to the axis of rotation. The cylinder block is generally represented by the reference character 3 and includes three cylinders 4c in which pistons 5 are slidable. Customary connecting rods 6 afford adriving connection between the cranks and the pistons. The cylinder block includes a desirable form of fluid cooling jacket. On one side, it is provided with an exhaust box 7 in which the exhaust valves 8 are located.

The exhaust valves are operated from a shaft 9 provided with cams 10. This cam shaft is connected with thecrank shaft by suitable gearing not shown so that itwill be driven in proper timed relation.

The special head is represented generally by the reference character 11. As before stated, this is of hollow construction and is somewhat semi-circular in cross section. Disposed on the interior of the head and in close contact with the wall are the pre-heating coils 12. Also located on the interior of this head 8 are three super-heating steam genera-ting coils 13, the same being disposed vertically and connectedattheirlower ends with the cylinders as shown plainly in Fig. 2. A conduit 14: including intake valves 15 is connected through the medium of boxes 16 with the upper ends of the coils. The spring pressed valve stems cooperate with tappets 17 On the tappet shafts 18.

, From Fig. 1 it will be seen that this shaft 18 has a gear 19 on one end cooperable with a pinion 20 on the other end of a driving shaft 21 which isedriven from suitable gearing (not shown) from the crank shaft. Obviously, an appropriate housing is provided for this construction. It is also apparent from this figure, that a longitudinally shiftable rod 22 cooperates with, the valve actuating devices 23 for suitable burners 2 1. The burners are shown more plainly in Fig. 2, and it will be noticed here, that a slot is formed in the head to permit thenozz'le 25 of each burner to be disposed in close proxiinity to the complemental coil 13. This"allows the flame from the nozzle to impinge upon its coil. Obviously too, the flame generates heat on the interior of the head for heating the aforesaid coils 12.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 1, where- 'in it will be seen that the reference character 26 designates a suitable feed water pump connected with an appropriate condenser 27 through the medium of a pipe section 28.. Leading from the opposite side of the pump is a feed water conducting pipe 29 including a valve 30 having an operating member 31 controlled by the aforesaid operating rod 22. This pipe 29 includes a branch 32 which is bent to form the first one of the aforesaid coils 12. The final coil of this set 12 is connected with the conduit lt for introducing the preheated fluid into the same so that when the valves '15 are opened, it may pass into the generating coils 18.

The reference character 33 designates a condensate return pipe connected with the condensate 27. The reference character M on the other hand, designates an exhaust gas pipe including a valve 35 of appropriate design. Obviously, this pipe serves to conduct the exhaust gases from the interior of the head to a suitable source of deposit.

In operation, it will be seen that the water from the feed pump 26 will flow through the pipe 29, through the branch 32 and into the coils 12 where it will take a tortuous course to pre-heatit. It will then flow in this preheated state in the conduit is in order to permit it to enter the vaporizing coils 13 when the'valves 15 are opened. The valves oper ate from the cam shafts in proper timed relation by means driven from the crank shaft. The flames from the nozzles of the burners, will play upon the coils 18, thus generating steam which will enter the cylinders 4 to drive the pistons 5 downwardly. On the upward stroke, the spent steam will be exhausted into the box 7 when the exhaust valves 8 are opened. From this box, it will return to the condenser 27 through the medium of the return pipe 33, thus placing it in readiness to be sucked into the pump 26 to be used over again.

The burners may be throttled through the medium of the operating means 22 and 23. The operating means also serves to control the intake of the fluid through the medium of the valve 30. Thus, the speed of the engine may be governed.

It is believed that by considering the de scription in connection with the drawings, persons familial-with devices of this class will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same. Therefore, a more lengthy descri )tion is thought unnecessary.

W hile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. In an engine of the class described, a crank case, a cylinder block including cylinders, pistons slidable in said cylinders, a crank shaft in said crank case, operating connections between the cranks and the pistons, exhaust valves cooperable with said cylinders, and a cylinder head including a plurality of steam generating coils connected directly with said cylinders and heating means for said coils.

2. In a structure of the class described, a crank case, a crank shaft in said crank case, a cylinder block supported on said case including a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, an operating connection between the crank shaft and the piston, a hollow head for said cylinder block, preheating coils located in said head, a single steam generating coil also in said head and connected with the cylinder, a valved supply conduit connected with said generating coil, and a source of heat supply for heating said coil.

3. In an engine structure of the class described, a crank case, a cylinder block including a plurality of cylinders, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders, a crank shaft in said crank case, operating connections be tween the crank shaft and pistons, exhaust valves associated with said cylinders, a head for said cylinder block, said head being of hollow construction, the wall of the same being lined on its interior with pie-heating coils, a plurality of generating coils in said head connected with the cylinders, a valved conduit connected with said coils, burners mounted on said head and cooperable with the coils, valve control devices adapted to operate at proper intervals, and a source feed water supply system associated with said coils.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROY TVINDELL. 

